Aqueous emulsion coating composition comprising an autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester

ABSTRACT

An aqueous coating composition comprising an autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin having ≧40 wt % of fatty acid residues; a Tg in the range of from −70 to +20° C.; an acid value less than 40 mg KOH/g; a Mw in the range of from 5,000 to 125,000 g/mol; &gt;5 wt % of ring structures; and said composition having a co-solvent content less than 20 wt % by weight of solids; a solids content &gt;38 wt %; and when in the form of the film having a telegraphing value of less than 35 gloss units.

This application is a continuation of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/870,271, filed Apr. 25, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. ______), which is a continuation of Ser. No. 12/920,389, filed Nov. 29, 2010 (now abandoned), which is the national phase application of international application PCT/EP2009/053820, filed Mar. 31, 2009, which designated the US and claims priority to European Application No. 08006272.2, filed Mar. 31, 2008, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to certain aqueous coating compositions that comprise an autoxidisable component and processes for making such compositions. Coatings of the invention show reduced telegraphing of surface irregularities after the composition has been applied to a surface.

There is a general need when applying a decorative or protective coating to a substrate to obtain a smooth surface without visible irregularities. The degree to which an underlying surface can be visually ascertained through a coating is often described as telegraphing. It has been found that irregularities on substrates (such as wood), which contribute to the roughness, are often telegraphed through conventional dry coatings.

Thicker coating materials are often used to reduce telegraphing because they are sufficiently able to level out any unevenness in the surface. Thus the underlying surface roughness of the substrate shows through to a reduced extent into the final coating which appears visually smooth. However, thicker coatings are disadvantageous because they may need to be applied in several layers, increasing the cost. Also slower through-drying, wrinkling and sagging can occur when using thicker layers.

Organic solvents have been used to improve telegraphing. However with a continuing concern about the use of organic solvents there has been a long felt need for an aqueous coating composition with comparable properties to those achievable using compositions based on organic solvents.

A coating should also dry sufficiently quickly to avoid the adherence of dust and ensure that the coating quickly becomes water resistant (e.g. in case of outdoor applications) and/or tack-free.

Aqueous compositions such as water dilutable traditional autoxidisable polyesters (also known as water dilutable alkyds or alkyd emulsions) have also been used to address the issue of telegraphing. However these systems have many well known problems.

Water dilutable autoxidisable alkyds may suffer from backbone hydrolysis. This may lead to changes in the performance over time which is undesirable. Traditional alkyd emulsions are discussed in “Water borne and solvent based alkyds and their end user applications” by N. Tuck, volume VI, Wiley/Sita Series In Surface Coatings technology; (ISBN 471985910) published in 2000.

Another common problem of traditional alkyd emulsions is their tendency to produce cissing (also known as crawling) when applied as an over-coat. Cissing is when a coating refuses to form a continuous film, recedes from the surface, collects in beads and leaves the surface partially exposed thus reducing the appearance of the painted object.

Yet another disadvantage of traditional alkyd systems, especially those containing a relatively high percentage of unsaturated fatty acid residues, is their pronounced tendency to yellow (in light or dark) over time.

Current coatings lack some or all of the above mentioned performance characteristics, so coatings which exhibit reduced telegraphing with a combination of: minimal hydrolysis of the backbone of the alkyd, low yellowing over time and/or reduced cissing are desired.

It is also generally known that polyester based alkyds typically have a broad molecular weight distribution and thus comprise a significant amount of material having a low molecular weight, which dries more slowly and therefore means the coating remains tacky for a longer period (i.e. has long tack free times). The presence of material of lower molecular weight cannot be avoided for many reasons. For example both glycerol (with three fatty acids—triglycerides) and pentaerythritol (with four fatty acids) are common raw materials used to prepare polyester based alkyds. To address the issues raised by the presence of the low molecular weight fraction, polyester based alkyds may be prepared in a highly branched form to obtain a high molecular weight fraction that dries more quickly. However the resultant branched polyester based alkyds have a significantly increased viscosity and reduced flow (compared to the less branched equivalent) and thus must be diluted with more organic solvent before they can be used. This is undesirable as for example it increases the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and adversely effects the flow of the composition.

Prior aqueous coatings have not been widely accepted in many markets as alternatives to solvent based coatings. For example solvent based alkyds are still preferred in the decorative market, where very low telegraphing is required as these coatings are often applied by brush. It is also desired that aqueous compositions are not milky or opaque but clear or transparent.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,910 discloses an aqueous emulsion of an alkyd resin which contains as an emulsifier at least one branched primary alcohol alkoxylate.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,959 discloses base alkyd resins that are modified to provide increased hydrolytic stability by reacting them with a polybasic acid composition containing one or more cycloaliphatic polybasic acids.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,475 discloses substituted polycarboxylic acids or substituted anhydrides as acidifying agents intended to stabilize a waterborne polyester from saponification, provided: (a) the acidification is carried out to an extent sufficient to provide an acid number of at least 40 milligrams KOH per gram of polyester resin; and (b) the substitution on the polycarboxylic acid or anhydride is either an alkenyl group having at least four carbon atoms or a cyclic group in which the ring is not aromatic.

EP 1471123 discloses alkyd resin emulsions for coating varnishes, containing a water-insoluble alkyd resin A and a water-soluble alkyd resin B that is used as an emulsifying resin and represents an esterification product of an alkyd resin Ba which can be homogeneously mixed with the alkyd resin A at a weight ratio (Ba to A) ranging between 2:98 and 50:50.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,953 discloses stable aqueous polymer dispersions and a process for their preparation.

GB 1541479 discloses an emulsion of an organic binding agent in water suitable for use in paints or lacquers, comprising as a binding agent, an autoxidatively drying polymer having an average molecular weight of 700 to 15,000 and an average of more than 2.0 autoxidizable groups per molecule; a nonionic surface active alkylene oxide adduct; a carboxylic group-containing organic compound containing at least 6 carbon atoms; and d) a diluent.

WO 07/101908 discloses fatty acid based hybrid systems which have been modified with reactive monomers such as acrylates. The level of fatty acid material in the modified system is relatively low.

WO 07/042449 discloses an aqueous binder composition comprising at least one emulsion vinyl polymer and at least one low molecular weight water-soluble alkyd resin and at least one high molecular weight alkyd resin. The level of fatty acid material in the composition is relatively low. Low levels of fatty acid material may result in slower drying.

Thus with the continuing concern about the use of organic solvent based coatings there has been a long felt need for an aqueous coating composition with comparable properties to those achievable using organic solvent based compositions.

We have now found ways to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages, especially when combinations of more then one of the problems need to be overcome in one coating system.

It is an object of the invention to solve some or all of the problems identified herein. A preferred object of the invention provides a method of improving the appearance of coated substrates, when the substrates contain visual irregularities.

A coating should also dry sufficiently quickly to avoid the adherence of dust and to ensure that the coating quickly becomes water resistant (in case of outdoor applications) and tack-free.

In a more preferred object of the invention the method can be used with a wide variety of coating compositions.

According to the present invention there is provided an aqueous coating composition comprising an autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin, said resin having:

-   -   i) ≧40 wt % of fatty acid residues;     -   ii) a Tg in the range of from −70 to +20° C.;     -   iii) an acid value less than 40 mg KOH/g;     -   iv) a Mw in the range of from 5,000 to 125,000 g/mol;     -   v) >5 wt % of ring structures; and     -   said composition having     -   a) a co-solvent content less than 20 wt % by weight of solids;     -   b) a solids content >38 wt %;     -   said composition when in the form of the film having a         telegraphing value of less than 35 gloss units;     -   where the telegraphing value is the difference between an         initial smooth gloss value minus an initial rough gloss value of         the film, where     -   the initial smooth gloss value is the gloss when the film is         cast on smooth PVC (R_(z)=1 μm [±0.25 μm]);     -   the initial rough gloss value is the gloss when the film is cast         on rough PVC (R_(z)=25 μm [±5 μm]); and where     -   each film has a dry film thickness of 68 μm [±6 μm]; and     -   each initial gloss value is measured at a 20° angle, one day         (24 h) after the film has been cast.

As used herein PVC means a polyvinylchloride substrate as described in the test methods herein.

The telegraphing values herein will be positive numbers. In general the greater the reduction in telegraphing, the smaller will be the telegraphing value.

Dry film thickness herein is measured after 24 hours of drying, under standard conditions. As used herein, unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms ‘standard conditions’ denotes a relative humidity of 50%±5%, ambient temperature and an air flow less than or equal to 0.1 m/s; and ‘ambient temperature’ denotes 23° C.±2 C.°.

The composition is preferably a non-adhesive composition. As used herein the term ‘non-adhesive composition’ denotes any composition that does not remain substantially tacky after drying under ambient conditions for a length of time which would be commercially acceptable. Preferred non-adhesive compositions are those which have a tack-free time of less than 16 hours. Tack-free time may conveniently be measured as described herein.

Compositions of the invention dry fast, for example they have short dust and/or tack free times. Compositions of the invention have other advantages. They may be prepared with lower viscosities, i.e. less solvent is needed to achieve a certain viscosity suitable for coating applications and in aqueous systems lower viscosity can reduce telegraphing. Alternatively compositions with a similar solvent content to the prior art can be produced with a higher overall molecular weight. Compositions of the invention can also be prepared with a high solids content.

For all upper and lower boundaries of parameters herein, the boundary value is included and all combinations of boundary values may be used to define preferred ranges.

It will be understood that the sum of the amount of all the ingredients that comprise a composition of the invention (or part thereof) when expressed as a percentage of the composition (or the same part thereof) will total 100%.

Preferred compositions of the invention produce coatings that have a telegraphing value (as defined herein) of less than 30 gloss units, more preferably <25 gloss units and most preferably <20 gloss units.

Preferably the gloss measured at a 20° angle on the film cast on rough PVC should not deteriorate significantly over time. This can be measured as a ‘gloss decay’ defined as the initial rough gloss value minus a rough gloss value measured at a later specified time. Preferably the gloss decay is measured 4 days, more preferably 7 days and most preferably 14 days after film formation. Preferred values of gloss decay (for example after each of the periods given above) are less than 14 gloss units, more preferably less than 10 gloss units, most preferably less than 7 gloss units and especially less than 4 gloss units.

Preferably the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin crosslinks at ambient temperature. By crosslinking by autoxidation is meant that crosslinking results from oxidation occurring in the presence of air and usually involves a free radical mechanism and is preferably metal-catalysed resulting in covalent crosslinks. Suitably autoxidation is provided for example by fatty acid residues containing unsaturated bonds and/or by allyl functional residues and/or β-keto ester groups.

As used herein ‘fatty acid residue’, means fatty acids, simple derivatives thereof (such as esters (e.g. C₁₋₄alkyl esters), salts, soaps, oils, fats and/or waxes) and mixtures thereof. Fatty acids may comprise a limited number of other substituents such as hydroxyl groups and may be saturated or mono or poly-unsaturated.

For the purpose of determining the fatty acid residue content of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin, it is convenient to use the weight of the fatty acid reactant including the ester group formed by the terminal acid group of the fatty acid molecule.

Preferably the concentration of fatty acid residues in the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin is ≧43 wt %, more preferably ≧45 wt % and most preferably ≧50 wt % by weight based on the weight of the resin.

Preferably the concentration of fatty acid residues in the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin is ≦75 wt %, and especially ≦70 wt % by weight based on the weight of the resin.

Preferably at least 80 wt % and more preferably 100 wt % of the fatty acid residues in the autoxidisable resin are C₁₀ to C₃₀, preferably C₁₆ to C₂₀ fatty acid residues.

Fatty acid residues may be obtained from natural and/or artificial sources. Natural sources include animal sources and/or plant sources. Animal sources may comprise animal fat, butter fat, fish oil, lard, liver fats, sperm whale oil and/or tallow oil and waxes. Examples of waxes are beeswax, candelia and/or montan. Plant sources may comprise waxes and/or oils such as vegetable oils and/or non-vegetable oils. Examples of plant oils are: bitter gourd, borage, calendula, canola, castor, china wood, coconut, conifer seed, corn, cottonseed, dehydrated castor, flaxseed, grape seed, Jacaranda mimosifolia seed, linseed, olive, palm, palm kernel, peanut, pomegranate seed, rapeseed, safflower, snake gourd, soya(bean), sunflower, tung, and/or wheat germ. Artificial sources include synthetic waxes (such as micro crystalline and/or paraffin wax), distilling tall oil (a by-product of processing pine wood) and/or synthesis (for example by chemical and/or biochemical methods). Suitable fatty acids also include (Z)-hexadan-9-enoic [palmitoleic] acid (C₁₆H₃₀O₂), (Z)-octadecan-9-enoic [oleic] acid (C₁₈H₃₄O₂), (9Z,11E,13E)-octadeca-9,11,13-trienoic [α(alpha)-eleostearic also α-oleostearic] acid (C₁₈H₃₀O₂) (where α-eleostearic acid comprises >65% of the fatty acids of tung oil), licanic acid, (9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoic [linoleic] acid (C₁₈H₃₂O₂), (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenoic acid [arachidonic acid] (C₂₀H₃₂O₂), 12-hydroxy-(9Z)-octadeca-9-enoic [ricinoleic] acid (C₁₈H₃₄O₃), (Z)-docosan-13-enoic [erucic] acid (C₂₂H₄₂O₂), (Z)-eicosan-9-enoic [gadoleic] acid (C₂₀H₃₈O₂), (7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z.19Z)-docosa-7,10,13,16,19-pentaenoic [clupanodonic] acid and/or combinations thereof.

Fatty acid residues may be obtained and/or obtainable from a plurality of the above sources and/or other sources not listed herein.

Preferably at least 35% by weight, more preferably at least 45% by weight and most preferably at least 55% by weight of the unsaturated fatty acid groups contain at least two unsaturated groups.

However a known problem with many autoxidisable coating compositions is that the resultant coatings have a tendency to yellow, in particular where the autoxidisable groups are derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids may be less acceptable depending on the desired colour of the resultant coating.

To reduce yellowing, the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin preferably comprises unsaturated fatty residues that comprise <10 wt %, more preferably <7 wt %, most preferably <4 wt % and especially <2 wt % of fatty acid residues containing three or more double bonds. Examples of fatty acid residues containing three or more double bonds include linolenic acid, tung oil fatty acid, oleostearic acid, arachidonic acid and clupanodonic acid.

The autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin may be obtained from a mixture of conjugated and non-conjugated unsaturated fatty acids. Preferably the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin is obtained from 20 to 70 wt % of conjugated and 80 to 30 wt % of non-conjugated fatty acids. Fatty acid residues having conjugated double bonds are obtained by catalytic isomerisation of natural fatty acids or from dehydrated castor oil. Conjugated oil is preferably obtained by dehydration of castor oil.

If the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin comprises saturated fatty acid residue then it preferably comprises from 0 to 40 wt % of saturated fatty acid residue by weight of total fatty acid residue in the resin, more preferably 0 to 20 wt % and most preferably 2 to 18 wt % as long as an autoxidation of the resin is not impaired. Examples of saturated fatty acids include but are not limited to butanoic [butyric] acid (C₄H₈O₂), pentanoic [valeric] acid (C₅H₁₀O₂), decanoic [capric] acid (C₁₀H₂₀O₂), dodecanoic [lauric] acid (C₁₂H₂₄O₂), tetradecanoic [myristic] acid (C₁₄H₂₈O₂), hexadecanoic [palmitic] acid (C₁₆H₃₂O₂), octadecanoic [stearic] acid (C₁₈H₃₆O₂), eicosanoic [arachidic] acid (C₂₀H₄₀O₂) and docosanoic [behenic] acid (C₂₂H₄₄O₂).

Particularly preferred are autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin in which the autoxidisable groups are mainly derived from fatty acid residues, more preferably unsaturated fatty acid residues, most preferably fatty acid residues having two or more double bonds, especially conjugated fatty acid residues.

The crosslinking of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin herein is by autoxidation. In an embodiment, metal ion crosslinking is used in combination to the autoxidation mechanism, e.g. by use of coordinative driers as is well known by those skilled in the art. Optionally (although less preferred) autoxidation is used in combination with other crosslinking mechanisms as are known in the art. Other crosslinking mechanisms known in the art include the reaction of siloxane functional groups, Schiff base crosslinking, epoxy groups reacting with amino, carboxylic acid or mercapto groups, the reaction of amine or mercapto groups with ethylenically unsaturated groups such as fumarate and acryloyl groups, the reaction of masked epoxy groups with amino or mercapto groups, the reaction of isothiocyanates with amines, alcohols or hydrazines, the reaction of amines (for example ethylene diamine or multifunctional amine terminated polyalkylene oxides) with β-diketo (for example acetoacetoxy or acetoamide) groups to form enamines.

We have found that a minimal level of ring structures in the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin is useful to reach the final coating properties.

Preferably the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin comprises at least 5 wt %, more preferably at least 10 wt % of ring structures. Examples of suitable ring structures include rings originating from isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, hexahydrophthalic acid (and their anhydrides) and dimethylol cyclohexane. For the purpose of calculation of wt % rings only, irrespective of the exact structure, an aromatic ring (C₆H₄) has an Mn of 76 and an aliphatic ring (C₆H₁₀) has an Mn=82.

The presence of at least 5 wt % of ring structures in the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin has been found to significantly improve final coating properties, such as hardness and drying times.

A problem often encountered in waterborne autoxidisable resins is their poor hydrolytical stability, which is a particular problem when polymer bound carboxylic acid groups are used, especially when in neutralized form. This problem can be reduced significantly by reducing the degree of water solubility of the autoxidisable resin. However in practice a balance between hydrolytical stability and water solubility is required.

The autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin may contain bound hydrophilic water-dispersing groups. The type of hydrophilic water-dispersing groups are well known in the art, and can be ionic water-dispersing groups or non-ionic water-dispersing groups. Preferred non-ionic water-dispersing groups are polyalkylene oxide groups, more preferably polyethylene oxide groups. A small segment of the polyethylene oxide group can be replaced by a propylene oxide segment and/or butylene oxide segment, however the polyethylene oxide group should still contain ethylene oxide as a major component. When the water-dispersible group is polyethylene oxide, the preferred ethylene oxide chain length is ≧4 ethylene oxide units, preferably ≧8 ethylene oxide units and most preferably ≧15 ethylene oxide units. Preferably the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin if containing polyalkylene oxide groups has a polyethylene oxide content of ≧0%, more preferably ≧2%, most preferably ≧3.5% and especially preferably ≧5% by weight. Preferably the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin has a polyethylene oxide content of less than 50% by weight, more preferably less than 30% by weight, most preferably less than 15% by weight and especially less than 9% by weight. Preferably the polyethylene oxide group has a Mw from 175 to 5000 g/mol, more preferably from 350 to 2200 g/mol, most preferably from 660 to 2200 g/mol.

Preferred ionic water-dispersing groups are anionic water-dispersing groups, especially carboxylic, phosphate, phosphonate, sulphate or sulphonate groups. Most preferred are carboxylic, phosphate or phosphonate groups. The anionic water-dispersing groups are preferably fully or partially in the form of a salt. Conversion to the salt form is optionally effected by neutralisation of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin with a base, preferably during the preparation of the autoxidisable resin and/or during the preparation of the composition of the present invention. The anionic dispersing groups may in some cases be provided by the use of a monomer having an already neutralised acid group in the autoxidisable resin synthesis so that subsequent neutralisation is unnecessary. If anionic water-dispersing groups are used in combination with a non-ionic water-dispersing group, neutralisation may not be required.

If the anionic water-dispersing groups are neutralised, the base used to neutralize the groups is preferably an amine or an inorganic base. Suitable amines include tertiary amines, for example triethylamine or N,N-dimethylethanolamine. Suitable inorganic bases include alkali hydroxides and carbonates, for example lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide. A quaternary ammonium hydroxide, for example N⁺(CH₃)₄OH⁻, can also be used. Generally a base is used which gives the required counter ion desired for the composition. For example, preferred counter ions include tertiary amines, Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺.

Due to the influence that neutralisation agents have on yellowing, tertiary amines and/or LiOH, NaOH and KOH are especially preferred.

Cationic water dispersible groups can also be used, but are less preferred. Examples include pyridine groups, imidazole groups and or quaternary ammonium groups which may be neutralised or permanently ionised (for example with dimethylsulphate).

The autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin preferably has an acid value (AV) of in the range of from 0 to 28 mg KOH/g, more preferably in the range of from 0 to 16 mgKOH/g and still more preferably in the range of from 2 to 12 mg KOH/g.

The autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin, if carboxylic acid functional, preferably conforms to the following relationship:

ND×AV≦20 mg KOH/g

More preferably ND×AV≦10 mg KOH/g, most preferably ≦8 mg KOH/g and especially ≦4 mg KOH/g.

ND (neutralization degree of the acid groups on the polymer) is defined as follows: if the level of neutralizing agent present in the resin is sufficient to neutralize for instance 80% of the acid groups, then the ND is 0.8.

Preferably the composition has a pH>2.0, more preferably >3.4, most preferably >5.1 and especially >5.8. Preferably the composition has a pH<9.7, more preferably <8.4 and especially <7.6.

Preferably the hydroxyl value of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin is below 100, more preferably below 50 and most preferably below 25 mg KOH/g resin.

Preferably the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin is ≧10,000 g/mol, more preferably ≧15,000 g/mol, most preferably ≧20,000 g/mol and especially ≧40,000 g/mol. Preferably the Mw of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin is <120,000 g/mol, more preferably ≦115,000 g/mol and most preferably ≦75,000 g/mol. Preferably the Mw is measured by GPC with polystyrene standards as described herein.

Preferably a significant part of any crosslinking reaction only takes place after application of the aqueous coating composition to a substrate, to avoid an excessive molecular weight build up which may lead to an increased viscosity of the aqueous coating composition on the substrate in the early stages of drying.

The molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the resin has an influence on the viscosity of the resins in the composition and hence an influence on the telegraphing. MWD is conventionally described by the polydispersity index (PDi). PDi is defined as the weight average molecular weight divided by the number average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) where lower values are equivalent to lower PDi's. It has been found that a lower PDi often results in lower viscosities for a given Mw crosslinkable autoxidisable resin. Preferably the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin has a PDi less than 35, more preferably less than 25 and more preferably less than 20.

Preferably the mass moment mean particle diameter D[4,3], also known as De Brouckere mean diameter (i.e. the particle size—since the particles are essentially spherical) of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester is ≧50 nm, more preferably ≧80 nm, most preferably ≧120 nm and especially ≧150 nm.

Preferably the mass moment mean particle diameter is ≦1500 nm, more preferably ≦850 nm, most preferably ≦550 nm and especially ≦300 nm.

Preferably at least 80% of the particles has a mass moment mean particle diameter between 120 nm and 1000 nm. The mass moment mean particle diameter may be measured using capillary hydrodynamic fractionation and/or Photon Correlation Spectroscopy.

The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester (100% solids) may vary within a wide range. The Tg (as measured by DSC) is preferably higher than −60° C., more preferably higher than −55° C. and still more preferably higher than −45° C. The Tg is preferably less than 3° C., more preferably less than 0° C. and most preferably less than −5° C.

In case the Tg can not be measured by DSC because the first derivative of the DSC curve does not show any identifiable maximum, an alternative method for determining the Tg is by calculating the Tg using the following equation that relates viscosity of the pure resin to its Tg (derived from the Williams-Landau-Ferry (WLF) equation):

Ln(η)=27.6−[40.2×(T−Tg)]/[51.6+(T−Tg)]

where:

-   Ln(η)=Natural logarithm of the viscosity of the pure autoxidisable     fatty acid modified polyester resin expressed in Pa·s; -   T=23° C.+/−1° C.; temperature used to measure the viscosity of the     pure resin; -   Tg=glass temperature expressed in ° C.

The autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin, may be prepared using conventional polymerisation procedures known to be effective for polyester synthesis. General processes for the preparation of fatty acid modified polyester polyesters are described in “Fatty acid modified polyester Resin Technology” by T C Patton, Publisher John Wiley & sons Inc. (1962). General methods for preparing crosslinkable polyesters are also disclosed in EP 486092, U.S. Pat. No. 3,494,882, U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,406, EP 0000087, WO 95/02019, U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,757 and GB 2306489. Thus, it is well known that polyesters, which contain carbonyloxy (i.e. —C(═O)—O—) linking groups may be prepared by a condensation polymerisation process in which monomers providing an “acid component” (including ester-forming derivatives thereof such as acid halides, anhydrides or esters) is reacted with monomers providing a “hydroxyl component”. The monomers providing an acid component may be selected from one or more polybasic carboxylic acids such as di- or tri-carboxylic acids or ester-forming derivatives thereof. The monomers providing a hydroxyl component may be one or more polyhydric alcohols or phenols (polyols) such as diols, triols, etc. It is to be understood, however, that the polyester autoxidisable resin may contain, if desired, a proportion of carbonylamino linking groups —C(═O)—NH— (i.e. amide linking group) or —C(═O)—N—R₂ (tertiary amide linking group) by including an appropriate amino functional reactant as part of the hydroxyl component or alternatively all of the hydroxyl component may comprise amino functional reactants, thus resulting in a polyamide resin; such amide linkages are in fact useful in that they are more hydrolysis resistant.

There are many examples of carboxylic acids (or their ester forming derivatives such as anhydrides, acid chlorides, or lower alkyl esters) which can be used in polyester autoxidisable resin synthesis for the provision of the monomers providing an acid component. Examples include, but are not limited to monofunctional acids such as (alkylated) benzoic acid, isononanoic acid and hexanoic acid; and C₄ to C₂₀ aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids (or higher functionality acids) or their ester-forming derivatives. Specific examples include adipic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, itaconic acid, azeleic acid, sebacic acid, nonanedioic acid, decanedioic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, 5-sodiosulphoisophthalic acid, phthalic acid and tetrahydrophthalic acid. Anhydrides include succinic, maleic, phthalic, trimellitic and hexahydrophthalic anhydrides.

Preferably the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin comprises <5 wt %, more preferably <2 wt % and most preferably 0 wt % of TMA (trimellitic acid and or trimellitic anhydride). It has been found that the use of TMA may result in hydrolysis and less durability of the autoxidisable polyester resin in case TMA is employed to adjust the acid functionality of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin.

Similarly there are many examples of polyols which may be used in polyester autoxidisable resin synthesis for the provision of the monomers providing a hydroxyl component. The polyols preferably have from 1 to 6 (more preferably 2 to 4) hydroxyl groups per molecule. Suitable monofunctional alcohols include for example eicosanol and lauryl alcohol. Suitable polyols with two hydroxy groups per molecule include diols such as 1,2-ethanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol (neopentyl glycol), the 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-cyclohexanediols and the corresponding cyclohexane dimethanols, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and diols such as alkoxylated bisphenol A products, e.g. ethoxylated or propoxylated bisphenol A. Suitable polyols with three hydroxy groups per molecule include triols such as trimethylolpropane (TMP) and 1,1,1-tris (hydroxymethyl)ethane (TME). Suitable polyols with four or more hydroxy groups per molecule include bis-TMP, pentaerythritol (2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol), bis-pentaerythritol and sorbitol (1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydroxyhexane). Examples of hydroxyl functional amines with both hydroxyl functionality and amine functionality include types like ethanol amine, diethanol amine, diisopropanolamine. These can be used to prepare polyesteramide resins.

It is also possible to react a polyester that is still hydroxyl functional with isocyanates (for example 1 to 20 wt %, more preferably 1 to 12 wt % and especially 1 to 7 wt % on solids) to give a urethanised polyester. This may also have a positive effect on the hydrolytical stability, hardness development and drying rate of the resulting resins.

The esterification polymerisation processes for making the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin for use in the invention composition are well known in the art and need not be described here in detail. Suffice to say that they are normally carried out in the melt optionally using catalysts such as tin-based catalysts and with the provision for removing any water (or alcohol) formed from the condensation reaction.

Preferably the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin comprises <6 wt %, more preferably <3.5 wt %, most preferably <2 wt %, especially <1 wt % and most especially 0 wt % of glycerol. Reduced levels of glycerol in the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin may improve outdoor durability.

Preferably the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin comprises <15 wt %, more preferably <6 wt %, most preferably <3 wt % and especially 0 wt % of phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride and or benzoic acid. Reduced levels of phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride and benzoic acid in the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin may improve the hydrolytical (backbone) stability.

The autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin may be dispersed (or emulsified) in water using techniques well known in the art. The autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin normally requires the use of an external surfactant (a type of dispersing agent) when being dispersed into water. Surfactants and or high shear can be utilised in order to assist in the dispersion of the autoxidisable resin in water. Suitable surfactants include but are not limited to conventional anionic, cationic and/or non-ionic surfactants such as Na, K and NH₄ salts of dialkylsulphosuccinates, Na, K and NH₄ salts of sulphonated oils, Na, K and NH₄ salts of alkyl sulphonic acids, Na, K and NH₄ salts of alkyl sulphates, alkali metal salts of sulphonic acids; fatty alcohols, ethoxylated fatty acids and/or fatty amides, and Na, K and NH₄ salts of fatty acids such as Na stearate and Na oleate. Other anionic surfactants include alkyl or (alk)aryl groups linked to sulphonic acid groups, sulphuric acid half ester groups (linked in turn to polyglycol ether groups), phosphonic acid groups, phosphoric acid analogues and phosphates or carboxylic acid groups. Cationic surfactants include alkyl or (alk)aryl groups linked to quaternary ammonium salt groups. Non-ionic surfactants include polyglycol ether compounds and polyethylene oxide compounds. The surfactants may also be polymeric surfactants which are also described as wetting agents.

The amount of total surfactants used is preferably at least 0.1%, more preferably at least 1% by weight, most preferably at least 3% by weight and preferably less than 11%, more preferably less than 9% and most preferably less than 7% by weight based on the weight of the total resin material. Preferably a mixture of anionic and non-ionic surfactants are used.

Preferably the composition comprises 4 to 8 wt % of a surfactant based on the weight of the total resin material, which is a mixture of at least one anionic and at least one non-ionic surfactant. Preferably the composition comprises 2 to 5 wt % of an anionic surfactant based on the weight of the total resin material.

Preferably to reduce the effect of cissing the composition uses >0.1 wt %, more preferably >0.5 wt %, more preferably >1 wt % and most preferably >1.5 wt % of ionic surfactant by weight of resin solids. Preferably the composition comprises <12 wt %, more preferably <9 wt %, most preferably <5 wt % of ionic surfactant by weight of resin solids.

Preferably the composition if comprising anionic surfactant, comprises an anionic surfactant having less than 90 wt % ethylene oxide (EO) groups, more preferably less than 70 wt %; most preferably less than 55 wt %, having preferably more than 10 wt % EO groups, more preferably more than 20 wt % EO groups.

Preferably the composition if comprising anionic surfactant, comprises an anionic surfactant having sulphate, sulphonate, phosphate or phosphonate groups.

Dispersing resins (another type of dispersing agent) such as W-3000 available from Perstorp or as described in EP1870442 could also be employed instead of or in combination with more conventional surfactants. If used, the amount of dispersing resin (wt % on solid resin) is preferably >0.1%, more preferably >3% and especially >5%. If used, the amount of dispersing resin (wt % on solid resin) is preferably <30 wt %, more preferably <20 wt % and most preferably <12 wt %.

An organic solvent may optionally be added before, during and/or after the polymerisation process for making the autoxidisable resin to control the paint viscosity during film formation. Examples of solvents include water-miscible solvents such as propylene glycol based solvents, especially propylene glycol mono methyl ether and dipropylene glycol mono methyl ether and glycol ethers such as butyldiglycol. Optionally no organic solvents are added.

A co-solvent, as is well known in the coating art, is an organic solvent employed in an aqueous composition to ameliorate the drying characteristics thereof, and in particular to lower its minimum film forming temperature. The co-solvent may be solvent incorporated or used during preparation of the autoxidisable resin or may have been added during formulation of the aqueous composition.

Preferably the composition comprising an autoxidisable resin of the invention has a co-solvent content <15 wt %, more preferably <9 wt %, most preferably <5% and especially <3 wt % by weight of solids.

Co-solvent may be present in the composition comprising an autoxidisable resin of the invention at a content >0 wt %, more preferably >2 wt %, most preferably >3.5 wt % by weight of solids.

However most preferably substantially no co-solvent is used as this gives improved storage stability and a better ecological profile.

An advantage of the current invention is that co-solvent can, as is often required for environmental and safety reasons, be present at a very low concentration because of the plasticising nature of the autoxidisable resin.

In general, aromatic or heterocyclic nitrogen-containing ligands (except pyridine) or aromatic and aliphatic primary and secondary (di)amines were found to prolong the drying time to a considerable extent (as reported in Coordination Chemistry Reviews 249 (2005) 1709-1728). An example includes heterocyclic nitrogen-containing solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and N-ethylpyrrolidone.

Preferably the aqueous coating composition comprises <13 wt %, more preferably <8%, most preferably <5% and especially ≦0.5% of NMP calculated on the solids of the coating composition.

More preferably the aqueous coating composition comprises <13 wt %, more preferably <8%, most preferably <5% and especially 0.5% on coating composition solids of nitrogen containing molecules with an evaporation rate<0.1, more preferably <0.05 (compared to Butylacetate=1.0), which are either aromatic, heterocyclic or which are aromatic and aliphatic primary and secondary (di)amines with the proviso that the wt % of nitrogen in such molecules is >5 wt % and more preferably >10 wt %.

Values for evaporation rates were published by Texaco Chemical Company in a bulletin Solvent Data; Solvent Properties (1990). These values are relative to the evaporation rate of n-butylacetate for which the evaporation rate is defined as 1.00. Determination of evaporation rates of solvents not listed in this bulletin is as described in ASTM D3539.

It is preferred to have <16 wt % on resin solids of a co-solvent with an evaporation rate between 0.05 and 0.005.

In a preferred embodiment, the coating composition of the invention comprises at least an autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin obtained from components:

-   -   i) 15 to 35 wt % of isophthalic acid and or hexahydrophthalic         anhydride (HHPAN);     -   ii) 0 to 2 wt %, preferably 0 wt % of glycerol;     -   iii) 45 to 80 wt %, preferably 50 to 70 wt % and most preferably         53 to 63 wt % of fatty acid residues having an iodine value         between 50 and 180 g I₂/100 g;     -   iv) 0 to 5 wt % of TMA (trimellitic acid and or trimellitic         anhydride);     -   where i)+ii)+iii+iv)=100%;     -   wherein the fatty acid contains less than 10 wt % of fatty acids         that contain 3 or more double bonds;     -   wherein the ND×AV value is ≦20 mgKOH/g; and     -   wherein the composition comprises:     -   4 to 8 wt % of a surfactant based on the weight of the total         resin material, which is a mixture of at least one anionic and         at least one non-ionic surfactant; and wherein the anionic         surfactant part is 2 to 5 wt % based on the weight of the total         resin material.

Conventional low Tg fatty acid modified polyesters exhibit slow drying. However a faster build up of hardness is desirable. We have discovered that this slow drying disadvantage can be overcome by incorporation of certain short chain fatty acids in an autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin.

In a further preferred embodiment, the coating composition of the invention comprises at least an autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin is obtained from components:

-   -   i) 15 to 35 wt % of isophthalic acid and or hexahydrophthalic         anhydride (HHPAN);     -   ii) 0 to 2 wt % of glycerol;     -   iii) 45 to 63 wt % of fatty acid residues having an iodine value         between 60 and 180 g I₂/100 g;     -   wherein the fatty acid residues contain less than 10 wt % of         linolenic acid;     -   wherein part of the fatty acid residues is derived from a short         chain fatty acids RCOOH where R comprises a 1,3- or 1,4-dienyl         carbon skeleton and wherein the longest carbon skeleton is C10;     -   wherein 1 to 20 wt % of short chain fatty acid residues by         weight of the resin is used;     -   iv) 0 to 5 wt % of TMA (trimellitic acid and or trimellitic         anhydride);     -   where i)+ii)+iii)+iv)=100%;     -   wherein the ND×AV value is ≦20 mgKOH/g; and     -   wherein the composition comprises:     -   4 to 8 wt % of a surfactant based on the weight of the total         resin material, which is a mixture of at least one anionic and         at least one non-ionic surfactant; and wherein the anionic         surfactant part is 2 to 5 wt % based on the weight of the total         resin material.

Examples of suitable short chain fatty acids comprising a 1,3- or 1,4-dienyl structure wherein the short chain fatty acids comprising a 1,3- or 1,4-dienyl structure are selected from the group consisting of 2,4-hexadienoic acid, 2-methyl-5-isopropylhexa-2,5-dienoic acid, 2,3-octadienoic acid and mixtures thereof.

The autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin of the invention preferably contributes to >50 wt %, preferably at least 80 wt %, more preferably at least 90 wt % and most preferably 100 wt % of all solid resin material used in the coating.

The autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin solids content of the aqueous coating composition of the invention is preferably ≧45 wt % and more preferably ≧50 wt %. The upper limit of solids content is usually ≦72 wt %, more preferably <65 wt % and especially ≦63 wt %.

The aqueous coating composition of the invention is particularly useful as or for providing the principle component of coating formulations (i.e. composition intended for application to a substrate without further treatment or additions thereto) such as protective or decorative coating compositions (for example paint, lacquer or varnish) wherein an initially prepared composition optionally may be further diluted with water and/or organic solvents, and/or combined with further ingredients or may be in more concentrated form by optional evaporation of water and/or organic components of the liquid medium of an initially prepared composition.

The drying process of a coating composition can be divided into stages for example the period of time necessary to achieve dust-free and tack-free coatings using the tests described herein.

Preferably the dust-free time is ≦4 hours, more preferably ≦2 hours and most preferably ≦2 hours.

Preferably the tack-free time is ≦10 hours, more preferably ≦8 hours and most preferably ≦6.5 hours.

Preferably the aqueous coating composition when coated onto a substrate is water resistant for 30 minutes, more preferably for 1 hour and most preferably for 3 hours after 24 hrs of drying the coating.

Preferably the aqueous coating composition when coated onto a substrate is block resistant at room temperature with a rating of 3 or more and more preferably the coating is block resistant at 52° C. with a rating of 3 or more after 24 hrs drying.

The aqueous coating composition of the invention may be applied to a variety of substrates including wood, board, metals, stone, concrete, glass, cloth, leather, paper, plastics, foam and the like, by any conventional method including brushing, dipping, flow coating, spraying, and the like. They are, however, particularly useful for providing coatings on wood and board substrates. The aqueous carrier medium is removed by natural drying or accelerated drying (by applying heat) to form a coating. Accordingly in a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a coating obtainable from an aqueous coating composition of the present invention.

The aqueous coating composition of the invention may contain other conventional ingredients including pigments, dyes, emulsifiers, surfactants, plasticisers, thickeners, heat stabilisers, levelling agents, anti-cratering agents, fillers, sedimentation inhibitors, UV absorbers, antioxidants, dispersants, reactive diluents (preferably any reactive diluents have an Mn>1000 g/mol, more preferably >1500 g/mol and most preferably >2000 g/mol and preferably an Mn<5000 g/mol, more preferably <4000 g/mol and especially <3500 g/mol; preferably any reactive diluents comprise 75 to 90 wt %, more preferably 80 to 90% of fatty acid residues with an iodine value in the range of 50 to 180, more preferred 80 to 150 g I₂/100 g resin) waxes, neutralising agents, adhesion promoters, defoamers, co-solvents, wetting agents and the like introduced at any stage of the production process or subsequently. It is possible to include fire retardants like antimony oxide in the dispersions to enhance the fire retardant properties.

If vinyl monomers are used as a reactive diluent, preferably less then 10 wt % and more preferred less then 5 wt % of the autoxidisable resin solids should consist of vinyl polymer material which is covalently bound to a fatty acid, whereby the covalent bond is generated through a grafting reaction of a propagating vinyl radical onto the unsaturated fatty acid.

In particular, the aqueous coating compositions of the invention and formulations containing them advantageously include a drier salts. Drier salts are well known to the art for further improving curing in unsaturated film-forming substances. Generally speaking, drier salts are metallic soaps, that is salts of metals and long chain carboxylic acids. It is thought that the metallic ions affect the curing action in the film coating and the fatty acid components confer compatibility in the coating medium. Examples of drier metals are cobalt, manganese, zirconium, lead, neodymium, lanthanum and calcium. The level of drier salts in the composition is typically that to provide an amount of metals within the range of from 0.01 to 0.5% by weight based on the weight of autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin.

Drier salts are conventionally supplied as solutions in solvents for use in solvent-borne fatty acid modified polyester systems. They may, however, be used quite satisfactorily in aqueous coating compositions since they can normally be dispersed in such systems fairly easily. The drier salts may be incorporated into the aqueous coating composition at any convenient stage. For example the drier salts may be added prior to dispersion into water. Drier accelerators may be added to the drier salts. Suitable drier accelerators include 2,2′-bipyridyl and 1,10-phenanthroline.

In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided an aqueous coating composition comprising at least:

-   -   i) 42 to 65 wt % of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified         polyester resin as described herein;     -   ii) 0 to 20 wt %, more preferably 0 to 12 wt %, most preferably         0 to 5 wt % and especially 0 to 2 wt % of co-solvent; and     -   iii) 15 to 58 of water;     -   where i)+ii)+iii)=100%.

In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an aqueous coating composition comprising at least:

-   -   i) 20 to 45 wt % of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified         polyester resin as described herein;     -   ii) 10 to 60 wt % of water; and     -   iii) 20 to 45 wt % of pigment;     -   where i)+ii)+iii)=100%; and     -   iv) 0 to 5 wt % of co-solvent by weight of solids;     -   v) 0.1 to 4 wt % of thickener by weight of solids; and     -   vi) 0 to 9 wt % of dispersing agent by weight of solids.

Preferably when the composition is formulated as a paint, the composition comprises 2 to 10 wt % of co-solvent on paint composition solids, preferably 3 to 9 wt % of solvent, of which at least 50 wt %, more preferably at least 80 wt % and most preferably at least 95 wt % of the co-solvent has an evaporation rate higher than 0.012, more preferably higher than 0.018 and lower than 0.25 and more preferably lower than 0.21 (when compared to BuAc=1.0).

If desired the aqueous dispersion of the invention can be used in combination with other polymer dispersions or solutions which are not according to the invention.

Preferably less then 35 wt % on total resin solids is used of polymer dispersions or solutions not according to the invention, more preferred <20 wt %, most preferred <10 wt % and especially preferred <4 wt %.

The present invention is now illustrated by reference to the following examples. Unless otherwise specified, all parts, percentages and ratios are on a weight basis. The prefix C before an example denotes that it is comparative. The term “working” means that the example is according to the invention. The term “non-working” means that it is not according to the invention (i.e. comparative).

Test Methods Telegraphing

Two types of PVC substrates were used to determine the degree of telegraphing of an unpigmented coating comprising the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin:

-   -   1. Rough PVC substrate with a well defined and uniform rough         surface available from Vink Kunststoffen B. V Didam, Holland;         type Vikupor white JD11; 2 mm thickness.     -    Surface analysis was carried out using a Wyko optical         profilometer NT1100, and analysis of an area of 1.9×2.5 mm,         using a magnification of 2.5 resulted in Rz=25+/−5 μm         (μm=microns) (Rz is the Ten-Point Height, this is the average of         the five greatest peak-to-valley separations in the scanned area         and is regarded as a general value for surface roughness.)     -   2. Smooth PVC substrate with a well defined smooth surface         available from Vink

Kunstoffen B. V. Didam, Holland; Vikunyl PVC film white glossy type 206221, 3 mm thickness. Surface analysis using a Wyko optical profilometer NT1100, and analysis of an area of 1.9×2.5 mm, using a magnification of 2.5 resulted in Rz=1+/−0.25 μm.

The unpigmented coating comprising (optionally comprising flow and wetting agents and thickeners if needed) was cast on both PVC substrates (rough and smooth) and a smooth and defect free film was obtained, resulting in a theoretical dry film thickness between 68 μm+/−6 μm. The film was dried at relative humidity levels of 50+/−5%, temperatures of 23+/−2° C. and an air flow<0.1 m/s for 24 hrs and the gloss was measured at a 20° angle, this gloss measurement was repeated after 4 days, 7 days and 14 days. The difference in gloss readings between the films on rough and smooth PVC is a quantitative measure with respect to what degree the rough surface of the PVC is telegraphed to the surface of the dried coating. The difference in gloss readings between the films on the rough and smooth PVC substrate are interpreted as follows: the smaller the difference in gloss values, the smaller the degree of telegraphing and the better the coating hides the substrate roughness.

Also the absolute value for gloss reading on rough PVC should not decrease significantly in time so that the reduced telegraphing is maintained.

Gloss Measurement Method:

Gloss measurements were carried out on a BYK Gardner micro-TRI-gloss 20-60-85 glossmeter in accordance with ASTM D523-89.

Drying Time:

To test the dust-free and tack-free drying stages of the aqueous compositions prepared in the examples as described below, the aqueous composition was formulated and applied to a glass plate at a wet film thickness of 80 μm. Drying time tests were performed at regular time intervals at relative humidity levels of 50+/−5%, temperatures of 23+/−2° C. and an air flow 0.1 m/s.

Dust-Free Time:

The dust-free time was determined by dropping a piece of cotton wool (about 1 cm³ i.e. 0.1 g) onto the drying film from a distance of 25 cm. If the piece of cotton wool could be immediately blown from the substrate by a person without leaving any wool or marks in or on the film, the film was considered to be dust-free.

Tack-Free Time:

The tack-free time was determined by placing a piece of cotton wool (about 1 cm³, 0.1 g) on the drying film and placing a weight of 1 kg onto the piece of cotton wool (for 10 seconds). If the piece of cotton wool could be removed from the substrate by hand without leaving any wool or marks in or on the film, the film was considered to be tack-free.

Molecular Weight Determination:

Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analyses for the determination of polymer molecular weights were performed on an Alliance Waters 2695 GPC with three consecutive PL-gel columns (type Mixed-B, I/d=300/7.5 mm) using tetrahydrofuran (THF, HPLC grade, stabilized with 3,5-Di-tert-Butyl-4-Hydroxytoluene (BHT), preferably with 1.0 vol % acetic acid) as the eluent at 1 cm³/min and using an Alliance Waters 2410 refractive index detector. A set of polystyrene standards (analysed according to DIN 55672) was used to calibrate the GPC. Samples corresponding to about 16 mg of solid material were dissolved in 8 cm³ of THF. The samples were regularly shaken and dissolved for at least 24 hours for complete “uncoiling” and placed on the auto-sampling unit of the Alliance Waters 2695. The injection volume was 150 μL and the column oven was established at 35° C.

Glass Transition Temperature

Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to measure the Tg using the TA Instruments DSC Q1000 with the standard TA Instruments alumina cups of 50 μL. Flow rate was 50 ml/min nitrogen, the sample was loaded at a temperature range 20 to 25° C. The sample was equilibrated at −90° C. and then heated with 10° C./min to 100° C., kept for 5 minutes at 100° C., cooled to −90° C. with 20° C./min, kept for 5 minutes at −90° C. and subsequently heated with 10° C./min to 100° C.

EXAMPLE 1 TO 7 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE C8 Process for the Preparation of an Autoxidisable Fatty Acid Modified Polyester

The ingredients as listed in Table 1 below were heated in a reactor at temperatures up to 220 to 250° C. in the presence of xylene as an entraining agent. The reaction was allowed to continue until an acid value below 10 mg KOH/g solid was attained. Xylene was substantially removed by distillation under reduced pressure to less than 0.5 wt % and the resulting fatty acid modified polyester was allowed to cool.

Dispersion of Autoxidisable Fatty Acid Modified Polyester

The resin to be dispersed/emulsified was heated between 50° C. and 95° C. The degree of neutralization (ND) was 0. The surfactants (4 wt % on solids of anionic surfactant and 2.5 wt % on solids of non-ionic surfactant) were added and the mixture was stirred while retaining the same temperature. After 30 minutes demineralised water was gradually added while ensuring proper mixing to homogenize the mixture as efficiently as possible to facilitate the phase-inversion process. Water addition was continued until the desired solids content of the composition was obtained. Finally, Acticide MBS was added as preservative.

The resulting compositions were siccativated using the drier mixture Nuodex Combi BSR from Sasol Servo, 2.7 grams of this mixture was added to 100 grams of dispersion. Films were cast on (structured) PVC as described herein and were evaluated on performance.

TABLE 1 Example 1 2 3 4 Soybean fatty acid 592.8 481.6 — — Pentaerythrytol 223 155.8 212.2 — Trimethylolpropane — 105.4 — 316 Isophthalic acid 236.8 282.8 218.4 218.4 Phthalic anhydride — — — — Benzoic acid 46.8 78.2 78 78 Sunflower fatty acids — — 588 588 Resin yield 1000 1000 1000 1000 Resin Properties Fatty acid residue content [%] 55.7 45.2 55.2 55.2 Tg [° C.] −25 −12 −12 −19 Mw [g/mol] 57000 112000 75000 62000 PDi 14.4 31 18.4 17 AV [mg KOH/g] 5.9 8.1 5.4 8.9 Solids content [%] 60.7 60 60.2 60.3 Ring Structure [wt %] 13.8 17.8 14.9 14.9 ND × AV [mg KOH/g] 0 0 0 0 Film properties 20° Gloss rough at 24 hours 79 65 68 81 20° Gloss smooth at 24 hours 87 85 89 91 Telegraphing value 8 20 21 10 Dust free [hr:min] 02:20 01:06 01:40 01:50 Tack free [hr:min] 03:45 03:32 02:45 03:40 Example 5 6 7 C8 Soybean fatty acid 529.7 — — 390.7 Pentaerythrytol 153.4 159.1 189.3 265.3 Trimethylolpropane 100.6 — — — Glycerol — 72.9 — — Isophthalic acid 268.4 280.4 192.6 — Phthalic anhydride — — — 276.8 Benzoic acid 47 — — 164.3 Tall oil fatty acids — 665.8 719.7 — Resin yield 1000 1000 1000 1000 Resin Properties Fatty acid residue content [%] 49.8 62.5 67.6 36.7 Tg [° C.] 2 −13 −9 5 Mw [g/mol] 61000 48000 60000 45000 PDi 16 14.8 17 14 AV [mg KOH/g] 7.5 8.6 9.1 8.8 Solids content [%] 61.1 59.8 60.2 50.4 Ring Structure [wt %] 15.2 12.8 8.8 24.4 ND × AV [mg KOH/g] 0 0 0 5 Film Properties 20° Gloss rough at 24 hours 80 82 70 45 20° Gloss smooth at 24 hours 89 89 87 91 Telegraphing value 9 7 17 46 Dust free [hr:min] 02:40 02:30 03:15 00:45 Tack free [hr:min] 05:00 03:55 04:45 02:00 

1. An aqueous coating composition comprising an autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin, wherein the resin has: i) >40 wt % of fatty acid residues; ii) a Tg in the range of from −70 to +20° C.; iii) an acid value less than 40 mg KOH/g; iv) a Mw in the range of from 5,000 to 125,000 g/mol; v) >5 wt % of ring structures; and wherein the composition has: a) less than 20 wt % of a co-solvent based on weight of solids; b) less than 38 wt % of solids content; wherein the composition when in the form of a film has a telegraphing value of less than 35 gloss units; where the telegraphing value is a difference between an initial smooth gloss value minus an initial rough gloss value of the film, where the initial smooth gloss value is the gloss when the film is cast on smooth PVC (R_(z)=1 μm [±0.25 μm]); the initial rough gloss value is the gloss when the film is cast on rough PVC(R_(z)=25 μm [±5 μm]); and where each film has a dry film thickness of 68 μm [±6 μm]; and each initial gloss value is measured at a 20° angle, one day (24 h) after the film has been cast.
 2. An aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin comprises at least 10 wt % of ring structures.
 3. An aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin comprises <5 wt % of trimellitic acid and/or trimellitic anhydride.
 4. An aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin comprises <15 wt %, of phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride and/or benzoic acid.
 5. An aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin comprises <6 wt % of glycerol.
 6. An aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the fatty acid residues have an iodine number of at least 50 g I₂/100 g fatty acid.
 7. An aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin is obtained from components: i) 15 to 35 wt % of isophthalic acid and/or hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPAN); ii) 0 to 2 wt % of glycerol; iii) 45 to 80 wt % of fatty acid residues having an iodine value between 50 and 180 g I₂/100 g; wherein the fatty acid contains less than 10 wt % of fatty acids that contain 3 or more double bonds; iv) 0 to 5 wt % of TMA (trimellitic acid and or trimellitic anhydride); where i)+ii)+iii+iv)=100%; wherein the resin has a ND×AV value of <20 mgKOH/g, where ND is a neutralization degree of acid groups on the resin and AV is the acid value of the resin; and wherein the composition comprises: 4 to 8 wt % of a surfactant based on the weight of the total resin material, which is a mixture of at least one anionic and at least one non-ionic surfactant; and wherein the anionic surfactant part is 2 to 5 wt % based on total weight of the resin.
 8. An aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 comprising at least: i) 42 to 65 wt % of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester; ii) less than 20 wt % of the co-solvent based on the weight of solids; and iii) 15 to 58 of water; where i)+ii)+iii)=100%.
 9. An aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 comprising resin solids comprising at least 50 wt %, based on the resin solids, of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin.
 10. An aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 comprising <13 wt %, based on solids content of the coating composition, of nitrogen containing compounds with an evaporation rate<0.1.
 11. An aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition comprises N-methylpyrrolidone in an amount of <13 wt % based on weight of solids.
 12. An aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 comprising at least: i) 20 to 45 wt % of the autoxidisable fatty acid modified polyester resin; ii) 10 to 60 wt % of water; and iii) 20 to 45 wt % of pigment; where i)+ii)+iii)=100%; and iv) less than 5 wt % of the co-solvent based on weight of solids; v) 0.1 to 4 wt % of a thickener by-weight of solids; and vi) 0 to 9 wt % of a dispersing agent by weight of solids.
 13. An aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 wherein the initial rough gloss value minus the rough gloss value measured at 4 days after film formation is less than 14 gloss units.
 14. A substrate coated with the aqueous coating composition according to claim
 1. 15. A method for coating a substrate comprising applying the aqueous coating composition according to claim 1 to the substrate, and then drying the aqueous coating composition to form a coated substrate.
 16. A paint comprising the aqueous coating composition according to claim
 1. 